July 22, 2010

Doha Chronicles

One of the feeble reasons why I came to Qatar is that I didn't want my Passport to expire again without getting some kind of stamp on it. I could have just flown off for a vacation to Bermuda instead, but then I’d have to have paid for it ;) With 2 more days to go in the desert, it feels about time I capped my stay here with one last writ (albeit more of a photo journal) from these lovely foreign shores.

26th July 2009

The day I embarked upon my professional journey. The day I set foot upon unchartered territory. Feelings and emotions overwhelming my psyche. Feelings like anxiety, excitement, fear, awe and the feeling that everything around you is getting bigger.

Forget the dates. I will do well enough to remember any more from here on. This on was quite easy to remember though. Those asses sent me to work the very next day of landing.

Al Sadd Development Complex, as it is called. Picture pe na jaao, apni akal lagaoo. There are 5 more buildings behind and on sides which aren't visible. People told me that I was lucky to start off at such a versatile project. Hotel, Residences, Offices, Recreational Area. I guess I was.

Sometime during Eid last year. There was this trip to the desert. Scorching Heat, I tell you. Forget the sun, there is this period of time when even if you stand for like 10 mins in shade, you'd be drenched in sweat. One thing that I'll surely not miss.

And Camel's are really god sent angels.

<Trivia> Apparently there is a restaurant in Dubai, one of a kind, that serves Camel stuff. Ewww.

Don't be surprised. Qatar in fact has more percentage of their borders surrounded by water than India. An yup, you really can see b-urkha clad women on the beach. Imagine what fun they'd be having. Huh.

O'course, unlike India, you also find green and blue waters around.

One thing that they are passionate about, the one thing that you enjoy more than having meat, the one thing that they have billions ready to spend, and the one thing that is at par with European standards. Sports. I mean they are bidding for Football WC 2022 alright, but they'd spend in the region of 5 billion just for Air Conditioning at the stadiums to bring temperatures from 40-50 to 24-27. Talk about grand.

Anyways, on 14th November 2009, I was lucky enough to be there when Brasil played Eng. Not even in my dreams I thought that I would see a live football match so soon, and of all the places, in Qatar. And then there was also a case of ManU team in Doha for a 4-5 days training session. Awesumness. Glimpses.

31st December 2009

This day I remember especially. The Shadow Picasso was still an Indian citizen and was on vacation in Qatar, and I stumbled upon him. My eyes couldn't have gotten any wider for sure.

February 2010

The much needed India trip. Exactly what the doctor ordered. It would have been near impossible if somehow had to stay here 1 year on the trot. I returned REVITALIZED if I may add.

May 2010

Drag Racing. Awesum fun, and this pic very well tells the story. The front tires are so in the air. And its fucking really very difficult to take snaps or make a video with all that engine noise. Blew me mind away.

Times In Between

Exploring Doha. Working. Meeting new people. Bald look. Bands. Cars. Ice Hockey. Carnivals. Swords. Fifa WC 2010.et al. Following will be a few select pics in and around the place and my work site. The past one year has been good, lots of new experiences, lots of new friends, and maybe I can even call myself a Mechanical Engineer in public now, I know some stuff :D